Balloon Fire, House Burn, and a College Prank
A pair of sophomores at a college recounts building a ten foot balloon charged with oxygen and hydrogen to cause rain and a Fourth of July spectacle. The balloon exploded over Old Gripe’s barn, burning the barn, shed, and an old buggy while sparking a public fire response. The event was blamed on lightning by townsfolk, and the youths concealed their involvement, later facing moral debt and eventual plans to repay $390 plus interest to Phoenix Company and $260 to Gripus, seeking equity years after graduation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Texas
oWers
Jarvis
Chemistry Hall
Jarve
Jar+ yis
Gripe
Hawaii
Jack
Phoenix Comy
Gripus
The Fourth of July Secret Warned to Be Revealed
A historical proclamation mocks a planned secrecy ahead of a holiday. It notes distrust of those unaware of the coming revelation and urges anticipation, claiming many already know and others are learning quickly. The piece uses satirical tone to comment on public mood and knowledge.
Independence Day Reflections On Firecrackers And Youth
A nostalgic column notes the contrast between early Fourth of July celebrations and modern excess. It recalls the simple pleasures of youths with few pennies and harmless crackers, and laments stricter limits on toy pistols and fireworks while describing the changing sense of patriotism and risk.
A Belated Toast to Independence Day Fireworks
A quoted voice laments annual Independence Day celebrations in which Americans mark victory over Britain with fireworks, money, and feasts. The speaker recalls forefathers’ sacrifices, jokes about shooting fire crackers, and critiques consumer-driven revelry as a yearly ritual.
A Unique Celebration on a Glorious Fourth
In a small town a group plans a unique Fourth of July, choosing torchlight on the water to read the Declaration and avoid heat and dust. Lance, dreaming of a fountain and a leaf, declares his love to Cedoni during the ceremony, sealing a quiet romance amid torches, songs, and waves.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedoni
Lance
Fountain of
Castalia
Cedour
Minneapolis
Mysterious jail rooster tale and Mississippi politics update
In Rankin County a jailed Black man kept a large rooster overnight and refused to explain how he obtained it, while Mississippi political notes report Prohibition supporters seeking $1000, a new Gulfport wholesale grocer, bank profits rise, and multiple county candidate tallies as local races intensify.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Morris
Rankin County
Died on the Fourth Of July A Glimpse Of Founding Presidents
The piece notes that Thomas Jefferson John Adams and James Monroe all died on July 4, marking a historical coincidence. It recalls Adams’s last words and Jefferson’s death on the same date, plus Monroe’s passing and Hannibal Hamlin’s death on July 4 1891.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
Jefferson
Adams
Tefferson
Monroe
Hannibal Hamlin
Detroit Free Press
Fourth of July Hoax Prompts Laughing Threats
A Chicago Record-Herald snippet shows Johnny mocking an door to door agent selling skin plaster. He asks if blowing thumbs off would be good, the agent agrees it would grow back in four weeks, and Johnny declares he will confront a July crowd with gusto.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sway
Lance
Cedoni
Agalh
Johnny
Chicago Record-Herald
Thoughtful Wits Reflect on Family Dinner Fire Risk
A fragment shows a dialogue about a Fourth of July gathering where a large family risks burns. The speaker notes learning by experience after inviting their family physician to dine, implying caution and care after a near mishap.
Fourth of July in London remembered in Westminster Abbey
The Detroit Free Press recalls how Americans in London honor the Fourth of July by wreathing busts of Lowell Longfellow and Count Rumford in Westminster Abbey. The piece contrasts homesick scenes abroad with children and patriotism, noting lingering references to Washington and national pride.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
London
Westminster Abbey
Lowell
Longfellow
Count Rumford
Detroit Free Press
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mr. Jones
George Pillgarii
Kansas City Independent
Tommy
Chicago
Pratt
Africa
Chicago Daily News
F. H. Lancaster
Circle of Light
Lahce
Gedoni
America
Sedoni
Mississippi State News
Friends of the Cause
National Liquor Dealers’ Association
Gulfport
S$. H. Floyd
Laurel
R. L. Simpson
Meridian
Gulf & Ship Island
First National Bank
Ball
Rodgers
HY. H. Rodgers
Neoshoba County
T. A. Byrd
Adam Byrd
Philadelphia
Supreme Court
McCool
Macon
Waterford
Marshall County
Jones Brooks
Ben Milam
Brooks
Milam
Tallahatchie County
Sumner
Thomas
Masonic Fraternity
Amory's
Farmers’ and Merchants’ Bank
Amory
Humphrey
Port Gibson
Benn
Congress
Hamburg
Cole
Franklin County
Mississippi
Bureaus of Geology
Jackson
Mississippi Builders’ Exchange
Leake County
Calhoun
First Oil Company
Mississippi Crude Oil Company
Enterprise
Clarke County
Board of Supervisors
Oktibbeha County
Williams
Gordon
State Executive Committee
Amite
Charlie Jones
Richard Russell
Leland
Russell
Valley Railroad
Jones
Jef
Wilkinson County
House
Senate
Viskaburg
Marine Engineers’ Benevolent Association
Vicksburg
Walter T. Booth
George Mote
Yaaco City
Nitterios
Greenwood
Brooklyn Lite
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!